[Open Log] A PLN in Tarwich

[dragoonrouge]

Date: 16th February
Characters: All members of the Network

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Tarwich Community Centre was used to hosting meetings and gatherings, though none of the staff at the facility were aware of how odd the gathering going on in one their function rooms truly is going to be. All mention of said gathering that was about to start had been kept off of the Network thanks to Sadie's insistence about safety. Some of the food was provided by the community centre, however, the many plates of biscuits were all courtesy of Ben's Aunt Rosemary. Everything was finally ready for the Numbered to start turning up.

Comments

[warped_replica]

Benjiro has no reason to doubt Russell on this matter. Especially with his own limited experience trying to present in school classrooms for grades or a science project to a small panel of judges. He had only gotten through using index cards to keep on track and barely ever looking at anyone.

"Definitely cannot see them. Even so, I get nervous about talking too much except to remark on the outcomes of strategies or my intended strategy and why it didn't work. I do more analytical approaches in my personal streams. Entertainment value...that's more from interest in the game." He simply does not carry the same charisma as other streamers, and jokes are reserved from joint streams.

[spaghettimonster]

"That's fine then, isn't it? This isn't about entertainment, today," Russell offers, trying to reassure. Summarizing the basics might be boring... but they're not bored stream-watchers or theatre-goers looking for a moment's entertainment. They're all unwilling parts of some secret conspiracy, all itching with hope of figuring it out.

"Just... Do a 'more analytical approach' to what's going on. Repeat everything everyone knows, catch the newer people up..." From here he can see at least one completely unfamiliar face, and another he's seen before but didn't expect to see here. "And let other people talk, to take the heat off you."

*for joint streams

[warped_replica]

Receptive to any advice, he nods his head faintly and listens before he exposes a little more of the anxiety gnawing at him as he closes and opens his hands a couple times, “Right… Sadie will be doing a review. It’s talking about the new information that will be more difficult.” The incident at the river mouth and the proposal to pool their Echoed talents in particular loom in his mind. The river had raised more questions than answers, and he keeps questioning if he has overlooked something. And talking about himself? Far worse.

Voice dropping in volume, he asks his cousin, “What if…all of this is too much for everyone?”

?

[spaghettimonster]

"Well, now, I mean..." Russell grimaces a little, glancing away as he brings a hand to the back of his head and runs fingers through his hair - regardless of the product in it.

Things early on were a little too much for him, as Benjiro well knows. But that was when he was alone in it, and unsure of anything. At least now they're unsure with company. Far less lonesome and alarming.

"If it is, it isn't your fault that any of this is happening," he points out, after a moment's consideration. "Maybe they won't be able to stop thinking about it... I know I haven't... But knowing what we know's better than knowing nothing, isn't it? It's not like you're proposing anything outlandish. Just sharing what we've found out." And maybe scaring themselves with the vast amount of what they don't know.

(Prior tag typo correction)

[warped_replica]

The weight of the information they have collected and the responsibility for it could be easily confused. Teasing them apart is not readily achieved. Benjiro has no delusions of responsibility for the Numbers themselves, but with dissenting questions of his choice to go poking at the river mouth with Sadie and Walter, there is a remnant of doubt. Yet, the longer he listens to his cousin, the more his nerves start to settle. The irrational part of his anxiety won’t heed logic, but the conscious part of it wanes. Knowing is better than not knowing, or else those present would not have come. At least if the information is not well received, those involved can make choices that are more informed for themselves as a result.

“…yeah. You’re right,” he starts as he reaches a hand up to rub at the back of his neck with a slower exhale and brief close of his eyes. When his hand comes back down and he looks to his cousin, he looks a little steadier as he smiles faintly behind his mask, “Thanks.” He quiets for a moment before adding, “…I’m really glad you came today.”

got it, ty

[spaghettimonster]

Talking before everyone here, for all it's only a small gather, is stressful. Going to a meeting to talk about these things - and hoping they don't get overheard by the community centre's staff - that's fairly stressful, too.

But those nothing on the stress of going out and finding things out, as Russell will soon remember, with the upcoming realization that Sadie's been involved in sneaking around armed radioactive waste searchers, that she and Ben and Walter's adventure at the river mouth was as explosive as the video reveals it to be... He can only imagine what living those things was like. Though, sooner or later, he'll get dragged in more of those things too... It doesn't bear thinking about.

"Uhh... You're welcome, any time," Russell says, as if by reflex. He considers the other people in the gathering, then his cousin, and shrugs. "We're in this together."

[warped_replica]

Benjiro would be grateful for his company on any future missions seeking information. As it is however, he has asked enough of Russell in simply getting advice on how to handle speaking in the meeting. Requesting assistance of any sort is difficult, and not a simple matter of pride.

The teenager looks out into the gathering with more people now present, and nods faintly, “Yeah.” For better or worse, they have only each other.

A small twinge at his shoulders comes with a realization and he motions a hand off towards the refreshment table, “Sorry! Don’t let me hold you up. It shouldn’t be too long before we start, so if you want anything, now might be a good time.”